The PM Time Service office will be CLOSED beginning Saturday, 02/17 through Sunday, 03/04 for our annual inventory and reconciliation project. During this time, the website will still be operational and you will be able to make purchases as normal. Then, beginning Monday, 03/05, orders will ship out and all emails and inquiries will be answered, in the order in which they were received. Thanks!

Abbreviations & Glossary

Abbreviation

Term

Definition

Adj.

Adjusted

This refers to compensations made to the watch's movement that increased the reliability and accuracy of the watch. Adjustments could include compensations for heat and cold, isochronism, and up to six different positions. This vintage chart gives a helpful visual explanation.

Bal.

Balance

Weighted, rotating wheel that functions as the timekeeping device in a watch's movement.

Bezel

This is the front rim of the watch's case that covers the dial and secures the crystal.

Bow

The looped ring located at the pendant of a pocket watch. Used to attach a chain or fob.

Cabochon

An unfaceted stone with a domed shape.

Chronograph

A watch that features a movement that can be started and stopped (as a stopwatch would) to measure short time intervals. Not the same as a stopwatch, which does not tell time.

Chronometer

A watch that has been tested and certified to meet particular precision standards.

Coin Silver

A metal made from silver coins (higher content of silver).

Crown

The winding button on a watch.

Damascene

This refers to the art of producing a pattern or design on a metal surface. The movement plates of higher-grade vintage pocket watches often feature these elaborate and beautiful damascene designs. These decorative patterns are usually created via engraving but may also be made by applying an offset metallic color to the movement plates (for example, gold wavy lines on a silver-toned nickel plate). Also spelled "damaskeen".

D/S, DS

Double Sunk

The watch's dial has two different areas (usually a center dial and a seconds dial) that are one and two levels below the hour ring.

DWT

Pennyweight

The common unit of mass used by jewelers in the measurement and valuation of precious metals (gold, silver, etc.). One DWT = 1.55517384 grams. May also be abbreviated PWT or PW.

GB&B

Glass Back & Bezel

Watch has open face case, and both front (bezel) and back covers are glass.

GGF

Green Gold Filled

Metal material with a hidden middle layer of base metal surrounded by green gold layers. Also known as "rolled gold".

GJS

Gold Jewel Settings

The jewels in the watch movement use settings (the metal sleeve that holds the jewel in place) made of gold as opposed to a less-expensive or less-luminous material.

Hinge Back

Watch has open face case, and back cover is hinged.

HB&B

Hinge Back & Bezel

Watch has open face case, and both front (bezel) and back covers have hinges.

HC

Hunting Case

Also referred to as "Hunter" Case. Watch has a hinged cover that conceals the dial, and a stem/crown positioned at 3 o'clock (as opposed to 12 o'clock).

HCM

Hunting Case Movement

The watch movement winds with a stem positioned at 3 o'clock as opposed to 12 o'clock. This does not necessarily indicate that the watch is in a hunting case (HC).

Isochronism

An adjustment to the movement of a watch that ensured accuracy and consistent timekeeping regardless of the mainspring's state (even if the spring was fully wound or was nearly run down).

Keyd.

Key Wind

Watch is wound with use of key, as opposed to turning the crown.

LS

Lever Set

Watch has small lever by dial, usually at 2 or 5 o'clock. To set time, lever is pulled out, then crown is rotated to select time, after which lever is pushed back in to original position.

Movement

The "works" of a mechanical watch (not including the dial or case).

NOS

New Old Stock

This refers to a product that has never been sold (and is thus "new") but that is no longer produced by the manufacturer (such as a vintage watch).

Open-Face

A pocket watch case style where the dial does not have a cover, as opposed to the Hunting Case (HC) style.

Pendant

The "neck" of the watch, attaching the crown and bow to the case.

Porcl.

Porcelain

Ceramic material often used in vintage pocket watch dials.

Repeater

An added complication to a mechanical watch that, upon the pressing of a button, chimes a series of tones to audibly indicate the time shown on the watch. Repeaters were designed so that the time could still be told in the absence of light or as an aid to the visually impaired.
To view a few of our repeaters in action, take a look at these YouTube videos:

Metal material with a hidden middle layer of base metal surrounded by rose gold layers. Also known as "rolled gold".

RGP

Rose Gold Plate

A base metal with a very thin layer of rose-toned gold deposited and bonded on the surface.

SB&B

Screw Back & Bezel

Watch has open face case, and both front (bezel) and back covers screw on and off.

Silveroid or Silverine

A base metal with traces of silver.

SS

Stainless Steel

(when referring to the case).

S/S, SS

Single Sunk

(when referring to the dial) - A portion of the dial (often an additional seconds dial) is "sunk", or one level below the hour ring.

Triple Signed

Indication that the watch is marked with the identical company name or jeweler on the movement, dial, and case. Wrist watches can also be marked for the company on the band and the crown.

WBM

White Base Metal

A white or silver-toned material, being a mix of alloys, typically with a nickel base. Used for vintage watches and jewelry.

WGF

White Gold Filled

Metal material with a hidden middle layer of base metal surrounded by white (silver-toned) gold layers. Also known as "rolled gold".

WGP

White Gold Plate

A base metal with a very thin layer of white or silver-toned gold deposited and bonded on the surface.

WP

Waterproof and/or water resistant

Our abbreviation to indicate a waterproof case, also referred to as a water resistant case. With the exception of divers' watches and later model watches specifically designed for it, a WP case will not prevent water from entering the movement cavity of a watch if the watch is submerged but will keep water from entering the watch if it is subjected to a small amount of water, such as when you wash your hands, are outside in the rain, etc.

YBM

Yellow Base Metal

A yellow or gold-toned material, being a mix of alloys, typically with a brass base. Used for vintage watches and jewelry.

YGF

Yellow Gold Filled

Metal material with a hidden middle layer of base metal surrounded by yellow gold layers. Also known as "rolled gold".

YGP

Yellow Gold Plate

A base metal with a very thin layer of yellow-toned gold deposited and bonded on the surface.

More horological terminology and definitions may be found on this National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC) "Time Terms" page.

Other useful links:

"How To Wear" Guide - Our guide, with examples and photos, on how to wear our various styles of watches and watch accessories.

Our Story

Welcome to the family owned business web site for PM Time Service. Initially started as a hobby during the 1960s, our business, officially established in 1976 by Paul and Gail Zuercher, has worked steadily to provide our customers with high quality antique and vintage pocket watches, wrist watches and watch accessories. Today, Catherine Zuercher carries on the 2nd generation of service and is delighted to work with our new and returning customers to place these fine old timekeepers with new owners.